Molletes are Spanish, open-faced bean and cheese sandwiches that are very popular in Mexican cuisine and are actually very easy to make yourself. A savory bean purée and a melty cheese topping, are accented with fresh, homemade pico de gallo for extra vibrancy, all of which is served on crispy toast. Molletes might become a new lunchtime favorite!
Ingredients
For the black bean purée:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 chipotles in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup water or stock of your choice
For the pico de gallo:
- 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and deveined, chopped
- 15-20 sprigs cilantro, chopped
- juice of 1/2 lime
- salt, to taste
For the sandwiches:
- 3-4 bread rolls
- butter, optional, to taste
- 1-2 cups cheese, such as cheddar, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Step 2 –Add 1/2 of the onion and the garlic and sauté until the onion is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3 –Add the black beans, the chipotles, the adobo sauce, the cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the freshly ground pepper, and the water and simmer until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4 –Pour the bean mixture into a blender or food processor and process until well-combined.
Step 5 –Taste for seasoning and add more of the salt as needed.
Step 6 –Add the tomatoes, the remaining onion, the jalapeño, and the cilantro to a mixing bowl.
Step 7 –Add the lime juice and the salt, to taste, to the tomato mixture and mix to combine.
Step 8 –Taste the tomato mixture for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Step 9 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 10 –Cut the bread rolls in half.
Step 11 –Toast the rolls in the oven until crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 12 –Add the butter to each roll.
Step 13 –Top each roll with the bean purée and the shredded cheese.
Step 14 –Bake the rolls again until the cheese is thoroughly melted, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 15 –Top with the pico de gallo and serve immediately!